Photo : BSS

RANGPUR, March 26, 2025 (BSS) – The Independence and National Day-2025 was celebrated here today calling everyone to build a non-discriminatory, accountable, self-reliant Bangladesh for realizing the dream of independence.
 
The district administration, Rangpur Metropolitan Police (RpMP), Rangpur City Corporation (RpCC), BNP and other political parties, educational institutions, sociocultural and professional organisations took colorful programmes to celebrate the auspicious national occasion.
 
The celebrations began with heralding 31 gun salutes at the Police Lines ground of the city in the first hour of the day.
 
With the sunrise, the national flag was hoisted atop all government, semi-government, private and public buildings, educational institutions and other establishments.
 
Floral wreaths were placed at the Central Shaheed Minar paying rich tribute to the martyred best sons and daughters of the soil. 
 
Divisional Commissioner and Administrator of RpCC Md. Shahidul Islam, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) for Rangpur Range Md Aminul Islam, Rangpur Metropolitan Police (RpMP) Commissioner Md Majid Ali, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rabiul Faisal and Superintendent of Police (SP) Abu Md. Saim first placed wreaths there.
 
Later, heroic freedom fighters, leaders of BNP and political parties, heads of government departments and educational institutions, business bodies, civil society members, professionals and commoners placed wreaths there.  
     
The Divisional Commissioner hoisted the national flag amid rendering of the National Anthem at Rangpur Stadium at 9 am.
 
He saluted the March Pasts of the students, scouts, girls in scouts, police, Ansar and VDP, BNCC, fire service and civil defense personnel, jail guards, students and children and witnessed colorful displays there.  
 
The programmes also included drawing competitions for children on the War of Liberation.
 
Heroic freedom fighters, family members and relatives of martyred freedom fighters were accorded receptions at the District Shilpokola Academy auditorium. 
  
Special prayers and munajats were offered at mosques, temples, pagodas, churches and other places of worship seeking eternal peace for departed souls of martyred freedom fighters and continuous peace, progress and development of the nation.
 
Improved diets were served to the inmates of all hospitals, jails, Shishu Paribars, rehabilitation centers of street children, welfare centers for disabled people, vagabond centers and child day care centers. 
  
The district administration arranged the main discussion at the District Shilpokola Academy auditorium.
 
The Divisional Commissioner addressed the discussion as the chief guest with the Deputy Commissioner in the chair.
 
The DIG, RpMP Commissioner, SP addressed the occasion as special guests.
 
Heroic freedom fighter and language movement soldier Mohammad Afzal, heroic freedom fighter Ansar Ali, heroic freedom fighter Md. Abdus Sattar, heroic freedom fighter Md. Nur Mohammad Mia reminisced about the Liberation War.
 
The DIG, RpMP Commissioner, SP, heroic freedom fighters, political leaders and civil society members spoke as special guests.
             
The chief guest said, "We got this freedom in exchange for the blood of three million martyrs in 1971.” 
 
“Now it is our responsibility to realize the dream of independence. Everyone must fulfil their responsibilities with dedication to build a non-discriminatory, accountable, self-reliant prosperous Bangladesh,” he said.
 
In his concluding speech, the Deputy Commissioner said, March 26 is an unforgettable day in the life of the Bengali nation. On this day in 1971, an independent Bangladesh was added to the world map.